Sunday, September 4, 2011

Saturday, September 3, 2011

I have recently noticed something that I find disturbing. At different places online where Christian wives (usually stay at home) are ~ forums, social networking sites, etc ~ I have noticed young wives being very lax in their...choice of words. One young lady was explaining how much she loves being a wife and a child of God. She talked about how her husband was a Godly leader and even went so far as telling exactly where she went to church, complete with address. And then in the next breath (keystroke) she wrote how much she loves to," *$#! her husband!" And she didn't use just symbols either...

Somewhere else ladies were sharing recipes and a young wife gave her recipe but titled it, "Cr*p."

Why? Why are they doing this? I can't wrap my brain around it. If you want to talk like that in your own home then fine, go for it. Even many places online I'm sure wouldn't bat an eye. But to go places specifically intended for Christian wives and then when you participate use that language? Am I the only person that finds this very odd? And I truly believe these were not "trolls." These were, for all intents and purposes, sweet young wives who seemed to have no ill will and who enjoy the lifestyle of a stay at home wife or mom.

Maybe I'm terribly naive or something, but I'm asking because I truly (obviously) don't know. Is this type of speech normal for today's twenty somethings? I really don't think I'm so old that I'm out of touch with things ~ I'm only in my late thirties! But I *keep* coming across this in different places online. And, quite frankly, it troubles me! It makes me want to give them a hug, sit them down at the kitchen table and gently explain exactly how doing that effects the way other see them...and their husbands...and parents. I could go on but you get the drift.

How can you give out your church address in one breath and then blast everyone with the F word in the very next?

Friday, September 2, 2011

I live in a very small home. We didn't always live this way, there was a time we lived in a huge house with three levels that by most people's standards was, quite impressive. But when the time came to take care of my parents, we moved into their home. Then when that season of my life was over, it was time to move on again. Which brings me to our little cottage. We chose the small-house-lifestyle very much on purpose. I had a small inheritance from my parents and we could have easily used that for a very respectable down payment on a house.

But we chose differently.

We decided instead, to take that little bit of money and find a home that we could purchase for cash so we would not have to live under a mortgage. And we do *not* regret that decision! We purchased a 1940s cottage that is right at 1,000 square feet. It has three small bedrooms and two small bathrooms. An eat in kitchen, small living room and a pantry that is absolutely to die for. Whoever the lady was who was in charge of building my pantry, she was someone after my own heart. It is a 12x10 room with floor to ceiling shelves all the way around three walls. We were also very lucky in that it had a new metal roof.

When we first moved in, we weren't sure how this was going to work. We just knew that it was going to. Granted, there are days when some more space would feel good. Days when the kitchen (of course everyone gathers in the kitchen, the "heart" of the home) does feel a bit cramped to me. But those thoughts are fleeting and quickly gone when I remember that this little cottage is 100% dh's and mine. And when cleaning floor to ceiling no longer takes me all day. I remember once shortly after we moved in and got settled, my daughter walked through the living room to take a shower just as I was fixing to deep clean the room. When she came back through ten minutes later she stopped in her tracks, shocked. Because in that short amount of time every single thing that needed to be done in there was done, lol. I had decluttered, dusted, vaccumed, and straightened everything. I must admit, being able to sail through cleaning jobs like that is nice.

Contentment truly is possible in small spaces! Just because we have children does not mean we have to live in a McMansion to raise them well and be happy. My son is actually planning on continuing the small home lifestyle when he is grown. He sees the difference in how much faster it is cleaned and stays that way. He is old enough to see the difference in our electric bills now compared to what they were in larger homes. We have explained to him what a mortgage is and he is able to grasp how long thirty years is. I don't know who my daughter in love will someday be...but I do believe she will live in a small home, lol.

Don't buy the bill of goods mainstream society has tried to push on us that tells us we need more.

Some online places I frequent

The thoughts and ideas I present here are my own. These are my words and I stand behind them. If you do not agree with my thoughts and feelings, that is fine. You are well within your rights to do so. Just as I am well within my rights to not allow any cynicism or spitefulness on my blog in the form of comments. I would not allow someone to come to my home and disrespect me or my family. Neither will I allow it here. These are *my* words. I stand behind them.